Chapter 11 – Explore the Carreon City
Dannie couldn't help but think back to Jace. A wave of gratitude washed over her. That unexpected encounter with him had been more than luck—it was the reason she was still here.
'If I hadn't met him… I might not have made it this far'
The thought made her smile faintly.
For now, she wore an oversized set of clothes lent to her by Lira. They were far too loose, the sleeves swallowing her hands, but it was better than nothing until she could buy her own.
No one in the house pressed her for details about her past, nor did they mention anything about their own lives before coming here. There was an unspoken agreement—a mutual respect for privacy.
And for that, she was thankful.
Back in her new bedroom, Dannie lay down on the simple bed, staring at the ceiling. The day's whirlwind of events replayed in her mind—the token, the association, her new housemates, the meal that filled her empty stomach.
Everything seemed so steadfast, almost unreal.
But she had survived. She was alive, fed, and under a roof.
Her lips curved into a small smile as her eyes drifted shut.
Thank you…
And just like that, exhaustion pulled her into sleep.
⸻
Morning sunlight streamed through the window, warming Dannie's face and stirring her awake. For a moment, she forgot where she was—until the sight of the unfamiliar room reminded her that this wasn't her old world anymore.
She stretched slowly, the blanket slipping down her shoulders. Her body felt lighter, stronger, as if the exhaustion and wounds from before had never existed.
A knock came at her door.
"Dannie? You awake?" Lira's soft voice carried through.
"Yes, I am," Dannie replied, sitting up quickly.
The door creaked open, revealing Lira holding a folded bundle of clothes. "Here. I found something that should fit you better than last night's. It's still a little big, but at least you won't look like you're drowning in it."
Dannie accepted the clothes gratefully. "Thank you, Lira."
"Mm. Get dressed, then we'll head out. I'll show you around Carreon City."
After changing, Dannie followed Lira into the common area where Marcus was already up, juggling a few bread rolls while Evan quietly sipped tea by the window.
"Morning, newbie!" Marcus greeted with his usual grin. "Don't forget to bring back something sweet for me, yeah?"
Evan shot him a glance, his expression flat. "You eat enough sweets already."
Marcus laughed, unfazed. "That's because I'm sweet on the inside, gloomy one."
"More like hollow," Evan muttered.
Dannie chuckled softly at their banter before she and Lira finally set out.
⸻
The moment Dannie stepped outside, her breath caught.
Carreon City stretched out before her, alive with motion and color. Wide cobblestone streets branched into bustling alleys lined with shops, stalls, and hawkers advertising their wares. The air was filled with the mingling scents of fresh bread, roasted meat, and spices she couldn't name.
Carriages drawn by sleek bronze-coated runners clattered past, while children darted between stalls, laughing as they played. Overhead, a massive wall loomed—tall, sturdy, and impressive, guarding the city like a silent sentinel.
"Wow…" Dannie whispered, unable to hide her awe.
"Well, this world is literally different from our original one," Lira explained. "It appears sunny today because of the formations—oh, I mean the dome-like shield you saw from outside. Inside the city, it looks normal, just like the world we came from. But once you leave… it's always dark. Like the time just before evening. Never changes."
Dannie blinked in shock. "So outside… it's always like that?"
Lira nodded, smiling faintly as she adjusted her glasses.
It was magical—unnerving, even—that the city could create a sunny, normal day while the world beyond its walls remained forever on the edge of night.
"Carreon might not be the largest city," Lira continued, "in fact, it's one of the smaller ones. But it's also one of the busiest. Trade here never stops. Merchants come from the outer towns, adventurers gather at the plazas, and craftsmen… well, they practically live in the market streets."
As they walked, Lira guided her through the maze of vendors. Stalls displayed everything from weapons and armor to fruits that glowed faintly in the light, and fabrics so soft Dannie couldn't help but brush her hand against them.
"Clothes first," Lira said, tugging her gently toward a tailor's shop. "Then food supplies. After that, if we have time, I'll show you the shop for basic skills."
Dannie nodded, her eyes still darting everywhere. Each sound, each smell, each sight felt overwhelming but thrilling.
For the first time since arriving in this strange world, she felt a spark of excitement.
After the thrill of buying her necessities, Dannie's heart was still racing with excitement. Clothes, food supplies, even little trinkets she had never seen before—everything was new, everything was fascinating. It felt like the city was opening its arms to her, revealing wonder after wonder.
But as they turned into a narrower street, her steps faltered.
There, in a wooden cage by the side of a shop, sat a young woman. Her wrists were chained, her clothes ragged, her gaze empty and distant.
Dannie froze. "What's that…?" Her voice trembled, horrified.
The store owner, noticing her stare, gave a sheepish smile and rubbed the back of his neck.
"Hello, Miss. Are you perhaps interested in buying a slave?"
The words struck Dannie like a slap. Her eyes widened in disbelief, her stomach twisting in disgust.
Before she could even respond, Lira tugged at her arm sharply.
"We're not interested," she said firmly, her polite smile tight as she pulled Dannie away from the stall.
Even as her feet carried her forward, Dannie couldn't stop glancing back. The girl in the cage didn't move, didn't react—her eyes were hollow, lifeless, as if all hope had been drained long ago.
Only when they turned the corner did Lira finally let out a sigh, adjusting her glasses. "Don't stare too much. It's… common here. Slavery isn't prohibited. People see it as normal."
Dannie's hands clenched into fists. "Normal? That's—"
"I know," Lira interrupted softly, her expression unreadable. "It's ugly. But this world works differently. Those who have no strength, no skills, no specialty… end up discarded. And for some, that means chains."
The weight of her words pressed on Dannie's chest. The vibrant, bustling city around her suddenly felt colder, harsher.
So this is how this world treats the weak…
She swallowed hard, her earlier excitement dimming into unease.
To this world, it might have seemed like a reflection of her original one. But here, power wasn't just influence or wealth—it was everything.
The ability to wield magic, to command skills, to stand above the ordinary… meant dictating your own future.
Without it? Without strength, without talent, without powerful means—you were nothing but trash.
This was her new reality now.
Lira nudged her gently. "Forget it. You can't change that. Instead, how about we focus on buying some basic skills related to your division?" She gave a faint smile, as though to ease Dannie's troubled thoughts.
Dannie let out a long sigh before nodding. "Well… I just hope my money will last long enough."
"It will," Lira assured her. "Basic skills aren't that expensive."
With that, they walked together toward a modest-looking shop tucked between two larger, flashier buildings.
A wooden sign hung above the entrance, marked with simple letters: Maive Shop.
"This shop isn't famous," Lira explained as they stopped in front of it. "It only sells basic skills from all divisions. Nothing rare, nothing grand. But for beginners, it's affordable and practical."
Dannie nodded, and together they stepped inside.
The interior smelled faintly of parchment and incense. Shelves lined the walls, filled not with goods but with scrolls and slim tomes that glowed faintly under the light. An attendant approached swiftly, bowing politely.
"Welcome to Maive Shop. How may I assist you today?"
"We're looking for basic soul-related skills," Lira replied smoothly. "May we see your booklet?"
"Of course, Miss. Please have a seat for a moment." The attendant gestured toward the cushioned bench in the waiting area.
It wasn't long before he returned with a slim, leather-bound booklet, handing it over with care.
Dannie opened it, and her eyes widened instantly.
Page after page revealed skills—simple, yes, but each one shimmered with possibility. To her, even the most basic descriptions felt magical, like a door into an entirely new way of life.
Lira leaned over and pointed at several entries. "Since you're planning to join the Silver Fang Guild as support, these would suit you. First—Low Soul Heal. It's basic, but it will let you relieve fatigue and stress during a fight. Second—Low Presence Detection. It allows you to sense nearby threats, useful when you're on watch. Third—Soul Defense. That one protects you from curses or mental interference."
She adjusted her glasses, then added, "But you'll need at least one offensive skill, just in case. I'd recommend Low Hymn. It isn't powerful, but it's enough to fend off weaker enemies."
Dannie listened carefully, nodding as Lira spoke. The choices made sense—they were practical, reliable, and exactly what someone like her needed.
And yet… her gaze drifted toward a different entry.
Low Soul Drain.
It was described in plain terms: the ability to weaken a small portion of the soul's target, restoring the caster's mana.
A chill ran down her spine as she read it. Unlike the other spells, this one carried a darker edge. Dangerous, even. But something about it tugged at her, drawing her in.
Her fingers hovered over the page.
After some hesitation, Dannie chose to follow Lira's recommendations. There was no need to rush—she could always come back and browse again when she was ready.
Together, they went to the cashier and made the payment. In return, the cashier handed them a slip, which they brought to the collection attendant. Soon after, four small crystals were placed into Dannie's hands.
She blinked. "Four?"
"They were supposed to be three," Lira said with a faint smile. "The last one's from me. Consider it a gift."
Relief washed over Dannie, and she bowed her head in gratitude. "Thank you, Lira. Really… this helps so much."
But when she checked her purse, her heart sank a little. Her funds were dangerously low. Thankfully, they had also bought an orb crystal of knowledge, something that could grant her essential understanding of this world.
As they walked back, Lira explained further. "To use it, you'll need to channel mana into the orb. Once you do, the information inside will flow into your mind. For knowledge, it's direct—you'll just know it. But for skills… that depends on your aptitude. The higher it is, the faster and easier you'll learn."
Back at the boarding house, Dannie finally revealed her aptitude rank to Lira.
"B-rank?" Lira's eyes widened slightly behind her glasses. "That's not bad at all. Actually… that's amazing. Most people only score at D. It's rare to even see a C. But a B? That's where the real talent begins."
Dannie couldn't help but smile. She remembered Jessica's expression when she first learned about it—now it made more sense.
After thanking Lira once more, Dannie retreated to her room. She carefully folded the borrowed clothes, took a quick bath, and slipped into the new dress she had bought earlier. The fabric hugged her comfortably, a small reminder that she was beginning to settle in this world.
Once ready, she sat at her desk, Lira's instructions echoing in her mind.
Her gaze fell on the orb crystal of knowledge.
Excitement bubbled up inside her. She picked it up carefully, the smooth surface cool against her palm. Closing her eyes, she focused her breath and channeled her mana into it.
A warm sensation rushed through her body. The orb glowed faintly, pulsing like a heartbeat, before light spilled outward in gentle waves.
Then—
Her eyes widened as streams of knowledge, words, and symbols she didn't recognize poured into her mind. Thoughts, concepts, rules of this world… all flowing seamlessly as though she had always known them.
Her lips parted in awe.
"So this… is how it works…"